The Sharks once again have high hopes for another successful season despite the loss of several key players from the 2017 campaign.
One valuable component, however, remains in place at PVHS — head coach Matt Toblin. The popular, charismatic coach is in his fifth year at the helm of the Sharks, and he has high expectations of leading his 2018 team into the FHSAA playoffs for the fourth straight year.
While many schools across the country are struggling for numbers, that’s not the case at Ponte Vedra. Some 140 players have reported for fall practice at the varsity and junior varsity levels, and much of the credit surely can be traced to Toblin.
In an era when many athletes are inclined to “concentrate” on one sport, that is certainly not the case at Ponte Vedra. As many as six starters will change their pads, cleats and long pants for shorts when the current football season concludes and basketball begins. Two players who made a huge impact in last Friday’s season opening victory over Nease — senior Max Schalit and sophomore Parker Campbell — will remain on the field at Sharks Stadium as members of the PVHS lacrosse team.
Schalit, who had a monster game against Nease with three tackles for a loss, perhaps summed it up best following the rivalry game as to how players, both past and present, feel about their football coach.
“I wanted to play for Coach Toblin,” said Schalit, who played in his first football game since his freshman year. “I knew he was a good coach, so I came out for football and I love it.”
Always wearing his long sleeve blue shirt and tie — regardless of if it’s a comfortable 72 degrees or a stifling hot 99 — Toblin once again may have a team that is playoff-bound.
Although the Sharks have seen several starters depart through the graduation ranks — including offensive playmaker Jarrett Stepp and current West Point linebacker Duncan Van Kouteren — a number of talented players return for Ponte Vedra. As one could clearly see from Friday night’s convincing victory over Nease, however, the team’s biggest asset may be its depth in personnel.
“We’re fortunate in our program that we do have a lot of depth,” Toblin said. “Our depth was a big reason why we pulled it out in the third and fourth quarter against Nease.”
The Sharks return five starters on defense — six if one could include a transfer from rival Nease, defensive lineman Josiah Haygood. Three-year starter Peter Merlini returns to bolster a defensive line that includes another returning starter from 2017, Emory Kingry.
A playmaker on defense, senior Cole McCormick spearheads a defensive linebacking trio that has now received an additional shot in the arm with the addition of the hard hitting Schalit.
With junior Tommy Zitiello — the Sharks’ leading tackler from last season currently sidelined with an injury — Toblin was able to utilize his depth by plugging in a number of players who shut out Nease from scoring in the second half of their 35-14 conquest.
Toblin did express some concerns he had with his Sharks, however.
“We have to protect the football,” Toblin quickly pointed out. “We also have to tackle better, particularly on quarterback scrambles. Nease’s quarterback hurt us with his running a number of times during the game and Palatka’s QB also runs extremely well.”
Toblin was pleased with the Sharks’ physicality against the Panthers last Friday, and he is confidence their toughness will carry throughout the entire season.
“Whatever we might lack in talent from what we’ve had here in seasons’ past, our kids this year play hard!” Toblin said.
On offense, Toblin has a problem, but it’s a good one, and certainly not a concern. Who does he play at quarterback? Senior Jack Murrah and sophomore Cobi Myers showed plenty of promise as signal callers last season, with each displaying special talents. Murrah, who threw for nearly 1,300 yards, is the passing specialist, while Myers is a talented runner who also possesses a strong arm.
Based on Friday’s night’s showing against Nease, Toblin believes he will have an improved running game in 2018. Mack Calvin and sophomore Campbell Parker each rushed for over 100 yards against Nease behind an offensive line that returns a three-year starter in tackle Gunnar Goetz and guard Christian Ventouras.
Toblin also welcomes back three returning wideouts who saw valuable action in 2017. Kyle Barker, who caught 30 passes for 426 and three touchdowns, not only will replace Stepp as a big play receiver, but also will take over Stepp’s role as a kickoff and punt returner.
The remaining wideouts are also well-rounded athletes who doubled as stalwarts on the Ponte Vedra basketball team. Senior Nick Pirris could be a college prospect at tight end, while Reese Russi and first-year player Logan Conway will provide nice targets for Murrah and Myers.
Sharks fans could not ask for a more convenient schedule this season. Sharks Stadium will host six home games, beginning this Friday night against Palatka.
